Starting Point of the Sanriku Railway Rias Line Journey: Procuring a Station Bento and One-Day Pass
About this spot
The central station of the Sanriku Railway Rias Line, known as Japan's longest third-sector railway stretching roughly 163 kilometers from Morioka to Kuji. Affectionately called "San-tetsu," it has garnered nationwide fans, with its post-Great East Japan Earthquake recovery journey even featured in television dramas. The station concourse hosts shops selling Sanriku Railway merchandise and local souvenirs, and starting your journey by browsing commemorative tickets and gifts sets hearts dancing. Board the retro train with white body and red-and-blue stripes, and with the departure bell, set off on a coastal journey. Landscapes of coves and fishing ports revealed each time you emerge from a tunnel are vistas unique to this line threading through the Rias coast.
Tips
Miyako Station connects with the JR Yamada Line and serves as the transfer hub for the Sanriku Railway. Trains toward Tanohata operate with limited frequency, so check the timetable in advance to plan accordingly. A one-day pass offers good value if you plan to make stops along the way. Purchase a station bento and beverages from the shop while it is open so you can leisurely enjoy them onboard.
Best time to visit
Approximately 40 minutes (before departure). Taking an early morning train allows ample time for sightseeing around Kitayamazaki.
Access & map
Japan, 〒027-0052 Iwate Prefecture, Miyako City, Miyamachi 1-chome 1
Model course featuring this spot
Sanriku Railway and Kitayamazaki: A Journey Through Dramatic Cliff Vistas
Iwate
Explore features & model courses
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